Jadzia Axelrod

Just as the first time I read this I finished the book and exhaled a deep, happy sigh. This is a love story about all kinds of love: romantic, platonic, familial, and most especially self-love, and it is very much about being true to yourself. The art is so, so gorgeous, the colors are vivid, and every page shines. The disability rep via Kat is fantastic because her prosthesis is treated as just another part of her life, because it is. She uses it when it benefits her, and doesn't when it show more wouldn't.

Taylor is trans and this is a trans story. Her body was literally changed into that of a male human so she could hide on Earth and all she wants is to be herself, to be her mother's daughter as she so often says. It's an unfathomable cruelty to make her live like as someone she isn't.

There are some excellent moments in this book, like the first time Taylor went out dressed as herself, and how Kat always looks at her with obvious love. There are some sad moments like bias and broken friendships. And there are some truthful moments, like Kat saying if you see a superhero that means trouble is nearby.

Like I said, happy sigh at the ending. Everyone should dance at Homecoming. show less

Taylor is a normal teen boy who plays basketball, loves David Bowie, and lives with his dad, older brother, younger sister, and cute corgi. When he befriends the new girl in town, Kat, he lets her in on the secret that rules his life - Taylor is actually a girl in hiding, an alien princess from a destroyed planet. If she reveals her true self her family’s enemies will find her. But after showing Kat her true self and being embraced, Galaxy realizes she doesn’t ever want to go back into show more hiding.

The art in this graphic novel is stunning, and it was a pleasure to read. The overall story is well-meaning, but it fell flat for me. I enjoyed the initial references to Ozma in The Land of Oz, but they didn’t go anywhere after signposting that Taylor is really a princess hiding out as a boy. Despite knowing before going in that this character crosses over with Dreamer, who crosses over with Supergirl, who is Superman’s cousin, I was still a little surprised when there were a bunch of Superman references up front. That’s on me! It makes for a better correlation with transness, since everyone in this world knows that aliens exist but is still xenophobic about it. The ‘resolution’ to that is just that Galaxy spends all of her time with her girlfriend, which I find concerning. Frustratingly it’s never made clear why Galaxy had to pretend to be a boy instead of just a normal human girl. The book is part of DC’s young adult line, but I think the story is closer to middle grade, there's not a ton of depth to the story outside of the main allegory. Still worth reading for the art alone. show less

What a lovely, heartfelt graphic novel.

The story centers around a very thinly veiled metaphor for being trans; a cosmic massacre six years before left the main character, Taylor, hiding out on Earth as a human boy with a few other refugees from their home planet in the disguise as a normal small-town family. Oh, and Taylor's adorable Corgi? A talking, organic android who ends up being a great character.

Taylor struggles with her human male form, finding solace in basketball but spiraling show more further into depression. Until she meets Kat, an outspoken teenage girl who encourages Taylor to reach for the stars and be who she really is. The relationship between Kat and Taylor was super lovely, healthy and encouraging, and an absolute delight to read. Teen lesbian sweetness at its absolute best.

Galaxy was beautifully written by Jadzia Axelrod, there were several moments where I teared up when reading Taylor's inner monologue, and even more stunningly illustrated by Jess Taylor. Jess Taylor's art is unique and so, so colourful I just stared at various pages for minutes, examining the details.

I hope it's not the last we hear from these characters as there are some lose ends, both personal and cosmic, that I'd love to see cleared up. show less

Jadzia Axelrod’s Galaxy: The Prettiest Star features illustrations by Jess Taylor with Cris Peter and letters by Ariana Maher. The story focuses on Taylor Barzelay, the Galaxy Crowned, an alien princess from Cyandii who was disguised as a human male on earth after an intergalactic war. Taylor feels disconnected from their family, adrift from their peers, and on their own. They meet Katherine Silverberg and begin to find the confidence to be themselves. Axelrod and Taylor’s story, set on show more the margins of the larger DC Universe, uses science-fiction as an allegory for what so many LGBTQIA youths feel as they begin to find themselves in adolescence. Like other YA graphic novels from DC, this book uses a combination a great storytelling and stunning art to tell a story that will connect with readers whether they are regular comic readers or not. A great addition to the DC graphic novel line! show less